Arlington County restricts police-ICE cooperation, drawing sharp criticism from Virginia leaders over public safety concerns.

County Board Decision Sparks Public Safety Debate

The Arlington County Board in Virginia has voted to further restrict local police cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), igniting a firestorm of opposition from state and federal officials. The board removed provisions in the Arlington County Trust Policy that had previously allowed police to contact ICE in cases involving violent crimes, human trafficking, and terrorism.

According to the revised policy, the Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) can no longer initiate contact with ICE regarding immigration enforcement—even when individuals are identified gang members or face serious charges. The original policy, adopted in 2022, allowed communication if the individual was an undocumented immigrant involved in gang activity or charged with violent offenses. That language has now been eliminated.

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares condemned the change, stating, “Banning local police from alerting ICE, from terrorists, from MS-13 gang members, from human traffickers—that is not compassion. That's negligence.” He added that the only beneficiaries of the policy are “illegal immigrants that have committed some of the most heinous acts.”

Board Chair Takis Karantonis defended the decision, asserting that it was necessary due to federal overreach. “The decision to remove Section 7 and related language comes in the wake of the federal administration’s ongoing erosion of the constitutional right to due process,” he said. “We want to make sure all residents feel safe engaging with local government.”

Critics Warn of Consequences as ICE Raises Alarm

Governor Glenn Youngkin criticized the move as “a betrayal of the oath” to protect constituents. “At what point did protecting violent illegal immigrants become more important than protecting your constituents?” he posted on X. Youngkin affirmed that the Virginia Homeland Security Task Force would continue operations in Arlington to pursue violent offenders, including MS-13 gang members.

ICE acting Director Todd M. Lyons also voiced alarm: “Prohibiting local law enforcement from alerting federal authorities to the presence of an egregious hazard to their community only emboldens criminal offenders.” ICE reports that three MS-13 gang members were among 17 arrests made in Arlington County this fiscal year.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned Arlington’s policy as “Russian roulette with American lives.” She emphasized that DHS would continue targeting criminal aliens for removal, regardless of local resistance. “Radical sanctuary politicians need to put the safety of the American people first,” she said.

The controversy follows similar incidents in Massachusetts, where state sanctuary policies led to the release of several violent offenders. ICE recently arrested individuals there who had prior convictions for solicitation to commit murder, drug trafficking, and assault—including one who later attacked a pregnant woman after being released by local authorities.

While Arlington leaders maintain their decision upholds civil rights and community trust, opponents argue the policy undermines public safety. As the debate intensifies, federal agencies remain committed to enforcing immigration laws—regardless of local jurisdictions’ cooperation.